government in which one person has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over others; the government or power of an absolute monarch. a nation, state, or community ruled by an autocrat. unlimited authority, power, or influence of one person in any group. Contemporary Examples

When asked about the transition from autocracy in other Middle Eastern countries, Marzouki responded positively. Tunisian Leader Speaks on Democracy to Council on Foreign Relations Luke Darby September 28, 2012

The fundamental fallacy found in much thinking about Gaza is that the restriction of resources harms the forces of autocracy. Powerless In Gaza Matt Sienkiewicz April 30, 2013

autocracy is just a Russian bad habit, like smoking three packs of cigarettes a day and drinking a liter of vodka. Russian History Is on Our Side: Putin Will Surely Screw Himself P. J. O’Rourke May 10, 2014

There are elements of autocracy, monarchy and military in the organizational structure and culture of Chassidic movements. What Peter Beinart Gets Wrong About Chabad David Werdiger June 30, 2013

By the way, the Saudis draw their line in Bahrain, where a Shiite majority is trying to overturn a Sunni autocracy. The Rise of ‘Foreign Policy Birthers’ Leslie H. Gelb April 22, 2011

Historical Examples

I saw then the shadow of autocracy lying upon Russian lives in their submission or their revolt. Under Western Eyes Joseph Conrad

He embodied the whole power of autocracy because he was its guardian. Under Western Eyes Joseph Conrad

There were never many persons who could correctly bound the autocracy of Mutjado. The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales Frank R. Stockton

Why destroy the autocracy of the capitalist and erect on its ruins the autocracy of the worker? The Crimson Tide Robert W. Chambers

The Russian autocracy went into the fight because of its pretensions in the Balkans. The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII) Various

noun (pl) -cies government by an individual with unrestricted authority the unrestricted authority of such an individual a country, society, etc, ruled by an autocrat n.

1650s, “independent power, self-sustained power,” from French autocratie, from Greek autokrateia “ruling by oneself,” noun of state from autokrates (see autocrat). Meaning “absolute government, supreme political power” is recorded from 1855. autocracy [(aw-tok-ruh-see)]

A system of government in which supreme political power is held by one person. (Compare constitutional monarchy, democracy, and oligarchy.)

an absolute ruler, especially a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government as by inherent right, not subject to restrictions. a person invested with or claiming to exercise absolute authority. a person who behaves in an authoritarian manner; a domineering person. Contemporary Examples Nothing humbles an autocrat quite like the need to grub […]

pertaining to or of the nature of autocracy or of an autocrat; absolute: autocratic government. like an autocrat; tyrannical; despotic; domineering: autocratic behavior; an autocratic person. Contemporary Examples In October of 2011, Libya was finally freed from autocratic rule after 42 years of oppression under the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. How Goldman Sachs Rescued Libya Joshua […]

autocrine hypothesis autocrine hypothesis n. The hypothesis that tumor cells containing viral oncogenes may have encoded a growth factor normally produced by other cell types and thereby produce the factor autonomously, leading to uncontrolled proliferation.

autocrine autocrine au·to·crine (ô’tə-krĭn, -krēn’) adj. Of or relating to self-stimulation through cellular production of a factor and a specific receptor for it.

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